Thumbhole vs Traditional Stock

[OkXbowHunter]

Are there any advantages/disadvantages over one stock design or the other?

Now that I'm thinking about getting a "back up" Excalibur, in case something happened to my Axiom, (at least this is the excuse I'm telling my Wife ), I was just wondering if it's a personal choice or if there is a difference. I've held both and I can not see an advantage of a thumbhole over a traditional stock. I was told by a Factory rep that it's easier and quicker to access the safety with a traditional stock.

Your thoughts?

I'm thinking I would like an Exocet, but there are a lot of you people who like the Vixen. I also think my Wife and Daughter would get a kick out of shooting a Vixen. Decisions, decisions!

[Boo]

Are there any advantages/disadvantages over one stock design or the other?

Now that I'm thinking about getting a "back up" Excalibur, in case something happened to my Axiom, (at least this is the excuse I'm telling my Wife ), I was just wondering if it's a personal choice or if there is a difference. I've held both and I can not see an advantage of a thumbhole over a traditional stock. I was told by a Factory rep that it's easier and quicker to access the safety with a traditional stock.

Your thoughts?

I'm thinking I would like an Exocet, but there are a lot of you people who like the Vixen. I also think my Wife and Daughter would get a kick out of shooting a Vixen. Decisions, decisions!

Get all three! Can you have too many?

[j.krug]

I have owned both types of stocks and prefer the thumbhole stock because I find it to be more comfortable.
As far as any performance advantages from one to the next I don't believe there to be any.
I have heard of people having trouble reaching the safety with the thumbhole stock but I have not found that to be an issue.

I think generally speaking it will come down to ones own preference and comfort when shooting the bow.

[j.krug]

Or you could just take Boo's advice!!

[Boo]

Ok, to be serious, I like the thumb hole stock because I find stalking much easier with it. Mainly because of the grip configuration.

[frisky]

The first year I had my bow I used the factory stock. The last three I have used my own custom thumb hole stock. I think that tells all!

[retrieverman]

I have owned a couple of muzzleloaders with thumbhole stocks, and I prefer a traditional stock.

[Normous]

I was not sure I was going to like the thumbhole. When Patti's Vortex arrived I found a preference and my Max went up for sale towards my new Equinox. Also, it is easy to fasten my pull up rope through the thumbhole for security.

[OMC-MOOSE]

Don't hold me to this, as I could be totally off base here but if my memory serves me, I was told somewhere along the line that the thumb-hole stock required a different trigger design than the traditional style and that was part of the reason that thumbholes had a "creepier", not as smooth, or "longer" trigger pull than traditionals? Can anyone confirm this, or am I imagining being told this? I want to say it was by an Excal rep. in the booth at the Harrisburg Sportshow this past Feb.

[Boo]

Don't hold me to this, as I could be totally off base here but if my memory serves me, I was told somewhere along the line that the thumb-hole stock required a different trigger design than the traditional style and that was part of the reason that thumbholes had a "creepier", not as smooth, or "longer" trigger pull than traditionals? Can anyone confirm this, or am I imagining being told this? I want to say it was by an Excal rep. in the booth at the Harrisburg Sportshow this past Feb.

The triggers units are identical but the angle and position of the triggers differ. Bottom line is that the trigger (and not the trigger unit itself) is the only thing that differs. The feel of the thumbhole stock can be less desirable to some.

[SPITFIRE]

It is a matter of personal preference. It depends on which one feels better to YOU. I have the vortex and love the thumb hole stock. It just feels better to ME.

[OMC-MOOSE]

In my case, I shot a Phoenix and an Ibex and bought the Ibex because I like the thumbhole.

[wabi]

Just my personal preference, but I'll stick to a traditional stock on any crossbow or gun that doesn't have a safety located on the trigger guard.
I tried a thumbhole stocked Excalibur and found the motion to release the safety was too complicated for my tastes. (But then I learned to shoot with an Excalibur with a traditional stock, so that just "feels" more "natural" to me. )

[bigbuckonly1]

Thumbhole vortex- wouldnt have it any other way.

[secret]

Function over form.. My vote is Traditional stock for safety.